With Summer Here, Birds Need Water

Birds require water year-round, but as the summer heat is in full force, water can be a magnet for attracting feathered friends to your yard. Not only will a bird bath provide neighborhood birds with a much needed drink, but it can also be a gathering place for them to take a refreshing dip or an instant attraction for insect eating migrants.

Here are five tips for creating a bath that both welcomes and attracts a variety of birds:

Keep it shallow.To entice small birds to jump in, a bath should be no more than 3 inches deep.

Provide extra footing. To allow birds to get a foothold while bathing, the interior surface should be textured. If you have a container that is a little too deep and slippery, line the bottom with gravel or stones.

Set up your bath near shrubs or trees. In order for birds to be attracted to your bird bath, they need a quick escape route if they sense a predator.

Clean it regularly. Since mosquitoes’ breeding cycle is a minimum of a week, replacing water every few days will ensure the pests don’t become a problem.

Consider running water. The sound of water can be heard by birds from some distance and will draw them in. Try a multiple-tiered bird bath, fountain, bubbler or even a mister.